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By Christian Zibreg on Feb 3, 2015
Tuesday, BGR said it’s learned from its own sources that Apple is shooting to release iOS 8.2 around March, ahead of the Apple Watch launch in April. “A trusted source” privy to Apple’s most recent roadmap told the technology blog that Apple isn’t planning to release iOS 8.2 this month.
In addition to general improvements and fixes, the headline feature of iOS 8.2 is official support for Apple’s wrist-worn device, which in all likelihood entails a companion iPhone app for installing apps onto the Watch and managing various device settings. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Feb 3, 2015
According to the official App Store Distribution data as of yesterday, iOS 8 is now running on 72 percent of iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices in the wild.
That’s up notably over the 69 percent figure recorded just two weeks ago, when iOS 8 adoption rates were slowing in the post-holiday season.
By comparison, Google’s own Developer Dashboards webpage was refreshed yesterday and now shows Android 5.0 Lollipop as finally making a blip on the radar, with the operating system recording a tiny 1.6 percent share of the current Android install base. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 21, 2015
Yesterday, I stumbled upon an intriguing post over at The Loop which I felt raised a valid point about multi-user access in iOS, or the lack of.
It’s especially relevant in light of the fact that Android Lollipop enables multi-user support on phones.
Tablets, of course, have had this for nearly three years with Jelly Bean and up. Now, adding the ability to share your iPhone or iPad with someone else isn’t as trivial as it may appear at first sight as there are many technical hurdles to overcome.
On the other hand, can anyone imagine Apple not working on solving this pain point for its users? I mean, OS X supports multiple user accounts by design and iOS is basically a slimmed down version of OS X.
Anyways, is multi-user access one of those features the company should prioritize for the next major refresh of iOS, do you think? Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 20, 2015
The rate at which people are upgrading their iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices to iOS 8 is slowing in the post-holiday season. As noted on Apple’s own App Store Distribution support page, though iOS 8 adoption is edging toward the 70 percent milestone it’s barely hit the 69 percent mark on Tuesday.
That’s a rather paltry one percentage point jump over an adoption rate of 68 percent as measured just two weeks ago. And by comparison, that figure was a healthy four percentage points increase over the previous December 22 update. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 18, 2015
I’m very displeased and unhappy (and I’m putting it mildly) that innovation in the iOS Contacts department has stalled out.
Argue as much as you want, but there’s no denying that integration of contacts in Apple’s mobile software is a convoluted mess, one that lacks consistency and completely eschews any reasonable expectations of a unified communications solution.
Product designer Frank Costa felt the same way so he went about creating a smart concept that tries to reimagine the address book experience on iOS, by envisioning an Invisible Address Book of sorts.
The ideas he proposes are quite intriguing. His Medium post, for example, describes profile pictures of frequently accessed contacts right in Spotlight for effortless one-tap interactions. From there, a list of apps that use your address book would be one swipe away, along with a handy log of your interactions with a friend. Read More
By Jake Smith on Jan 14, 2015
Microsoft-owned Skype announced a new pre-release program for its iOS app on Wednesday, aimed at its most engaged users.
The company said in a blog post that users accepted into the pre-release program will get access to early versions of Skype in exchange for their regular feedback and NDA signature. Skype is limiting access to those 18 or older and who have a valid email address and Skype or Microsoft Account. Read More
By Jake Smith on Jan 13, 2015
Apple was granted a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday that puts new motion-sensing hardware and software to use, much like the Kinect for Xbox One.
The patent describes “three dimensional user interface session control,” essentially, a software UI for use with PrimeSense’s motion-sensing hardware. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 12, 2015
Earlier in the month, Instapaper creator and Tumblr co-founder Marco Arment offered a scathing critique of Apple’s declining software quality. I generally disagree with Marco on most topics he blogs about, but this time he got me thinking that Apple’s “it just works” mantra no longer applies. And as software woes continue to persist, the problem clearly is much larger than the relatively benign Maps debacle.
From that botched iOS 8.0.1 update, delayed improvements and an over-the-air iOS 8 installer requiring a whopping 4.6 gigabytes of free space to a bunch of issues plaguing OS X 10.10 Yosemite such as performance bottlenecks, its insatiable resource requirements, ridiculous Apple Mail hiccups, intermittent Wi-Fi issues and more – the firm appears to have “lost the functional high ground,” as Arment put it.
And with plenty of far-reaching technologies being introduced simultaneously — Handoff, iCloud Drive, custom keyboards, photo and storage extensions, new ways to share content, HealthKit, HomeKit, WatchKit and CloudKit, to mention but a few — small wonder Apple is finding itself in the middle of a pretty rocky transition, to say the least.
Throw in things like iCloud and CarPlay and suddenly diminishing software quality exhibited in the latest releases of iOS and Mac OS X becomes a major customer pain point. Apple is an aspirational brand so winning back user trust is paramount.
So, what should Tim Cook & Co. do? Do they continue to stick to the annual OS release schedule? Or should they give engineers enough time to smooth out the rough edges and ship software when it’s ready rather than for their marketing benefits, even if it means making us wait longer for latest and greatest software innovations? Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 12, 2015
If you need more proof the Apple Watch is launching in March as recently reported, here it is.
Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac just discovered that installing a fourth beta of the upcoming iOS 8.2, which was seeded to Apple’s developers earlier today, enables Bluetooth connectivity with the upcoming wrist-worn device.
In addition, iOS 8.2 Beta 4 (build 12D5461b) makes it clear that the Cupertino firm is working on a dedicated app for setting up the Apple Watch and controlling it. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 12, 2015
Just as our own analytics showed a very clear spike of traffic emanating from devices running Apple’s unreleased iOS 8.1.3, now word comes that several publications are starting to see versions of iOS 9 showing up on web analytics for their sites.
Assuming version numbers have not been spoofed, this would indicate Apple may have begun testing first prototype builds of iOS 9, ahead of a developer preview expected at its annual developers conference in the summer. Read More
By Jake Smith on Jan 10, 2015
Apple blogger and Instapaper founder Marco Arment caused an earthquake in the Apple community when he released a blistering article on the current state of Apple’s hardware earlier this week. It’s not often you see Apple bloggers being critical of the company they’re usually so quick to praise.
“We don’t need major OS releases every year,” Arment wrote. “We don’t need each OS release to have a huge list of new features. We need our computers, phones, and tablets to work well first so we can enjoy new features released at a healthy, gradual, sustainable pace.”
So that left two questions: Is Arment correct in his theory? What do you want from Apple in 2015? Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jan 9, 2015
Even though this particular data point is a few days old now, I think it’s highly relevant in light of Apple’s glowing App Store stats revealed yesterday.
According to developer Ustwo Games, its award-winning and incredibly successful Monument Valley, an atmospheric puzzle game in which you manipulate impossible architecture inspired by the works of M.C. Escher, has seen a significant chunk of its potential revenue lost to piracy because only 40 percent of the $3.99 game installs on the iPhone and iPad were paid for.
The vast chunk of the remaining sixty percent iOS installs were illegitimate, or to put it bluntly — pirated. On Android, the paid install base is a paltry five percent (you read that right), as a huge hunk of the remaining 95 percent of users opted to steal Monument Vally on Android rather than pay four bucks to enjoy it.
Is the 60 percent piracy rate on iOS a worrying number for Monument Valley developers and a bad sign for Apple’s mobile platform? Read on for the full reveal. Read More
By Timothy Reavis on Jan 7, 2015
Breaking the long-held tradition of restricting iOS beta releases to developers and select Cupertino campus employees, Apple has plans to expand pre-release mobile software testing to select retail employees, according to a report today by Mark Gurman. The program is set to commence soon with a beta version of iOS and comes nearly half a year after Apple’s introduction of public betas for OS X Yosemite, its desktop operating system. Read More
By Jake Smith on Jan 1, 2015
Apple kicked off its 2015 annual “Lucky Bag” promotion in Japan on Thursday, giving customers big discounts on Apple products and accessories. A “Lucky Bag” is a Japanese New Year tradition, also known as a Fukubukuro, that offers a bag for a set price filled with unknown random items, sold for a discount. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Dec 29, 2014
Just like last year, Apple’s iPhone and iPad again dominated online shopping traffic and online mobile sales during Christmas Day, according to an IBM survey first shared by VentureBeat.
Based on data from IBM’s real-time Digital Analytics Benchmark, which tracked approximately 800 retail websites in the United States, iOS devices were responsible for an average of $97.28 per order spent online versus $67.40 for Android users, a difference of 44.3 percent.
In other words, a commanding 57.1 percent of online shopping via mobile during Christmas Day was carried out using an iPhone or iPad, an increase of 8.3 percent versus the previous year. Read More
By Jake Smith on Dec 26, 2014
The Japan arm of Apple announced on Friday that it’s once again bringing back its “Lucky Bags” promotion on January 2nd, 2015. A “Lucky Bag” is a Japanese New Year tradition, and also known as a Fukubukuro. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Dec 18, 2014
Moscow-based Elcomsoft, which produces a mobile forensic tool used by law enforcement around the world to gain access to a suspect’s iOS devices, has updated its Phone Breaker application which now makes it easier to bypass Apple’s two-step verification for Apple ID accounts in order to access underlying iCloud data, Engadget reported Thursday.
Not only does this include iWork documents stored in iCloud, but also data in third-party apps such as WhatsApp communications, 1Password password databases — even user dictionaries that may contain secret words and phrases — provided a user has enabled the app in question to sync data with iCloud.
Although hackers still need both your Apple ID username/password and a two-factor code sent to your trusted device (or a digital token stolen from your computer), once they do gain access to your account Phone Breaker can then create a digital token granting them permanent access to iCloud data, no two-step verification code needed — until you change your Apple ID password, that is. Read More
By Cody Lee on Dec 10, 2014
Are you or someone you know interested in mobile app design, but unsure how to get started? If so, you’re definitely going to want to check out this new promotion from StackSocial. The deals site is offering 4 iOS design classes and hundreds of assets right now at a staggering discount.
The package, which includes over 15 hours of design and marketing instruction, and more than 150 UI elements, is valued at more than $1,400. But thanks to StackSocial’s Name Your Own Price promo, you can get all of the courses and graphics for less than the price of a Starbucks coffee. Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Dec 10, 2014
Following their major enterprise mobility partnership which was announced this summer, Apple and IBM this morning launched the first batch of MobileFirst apps for enterprise iOS users. The new suite of business-focused apps are available exclusively for the iPhone and iPad starting today and include apps for insurance, retail, telecom, government, travel, transportation, banking and more. Read More
By Cody Lee on Dec 9, 2014
Apple has released iOS 8.1.2 this afternoon with a handful of bug fixes and other improvements. Specifically, the release notes say the update addresses an issue where ringtones purchased through the iTunes Store may have disappeared from users’ devices.
You can access the new firmware over the air via Settings > General > Software Update, or via iTunes by connecting your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a computer. But as usual, we recommend that users who are jailbroken, or plan to jailbreak, avoid the update for now.


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- A 1975 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Maybach W100 that took seven years to restore is currently on sale for $US2.15 million.
- The restoration process was overseen by Mercedes-Benz Classic and Daimler AG with a goal of maintaining its iconic exterior qualities while updating its interior features.
- The 45-year-old vehicle now comes with a chilled minibar, a TV, a dimmable glass panoramic roof, and Swarovski crystals encrusted into the ceiling of the car.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
A 1975 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Maybach W100 that took seven years to restore is now on sale for $US2.15 million.
The rebuilding and renovation of the vehicle took seven years to complete, between 2007 and 2014. The process – which was overseen by Mercedes-BenzClassic and Daimler AG – was completed with a goal of maintaining its iconic exterior qualities.
Several parts for the car were ordered from Mercedes-Benz’s ultra-luxe Maybach brand specifically for the restoration project to ensure that the W100 could authentically retain its iconic look. But instead of ordering a new gearbox or modern engine, the team restored the 1975 car’s original gearbox and 6.3-litre V8 engine, which has only seen 1,000 miles since its conception 45 years ago.
The car is now being sold by Netherlands-based Auto Leitner for €2.15 million, around $US2.33 million, excluding VAT. Keep scrolling to see the fully restored 1975 Mercedes 600 Pullman Maybach W100:
Despite the strict adherence to maintaining the authentic look of the car, several modern touches were added, such as electrical adjustable seats, and a heater and air conditioning unit.
Like many modern cars, there are also front and rear cameras, reading lights …
… and heated and cooled seats.
However, the upgrades don’t stop at the addition of now-standard amenities.
There are also several untraditional accessories, like a refrigerator with a minibar and glasses for passengers to enjoy a quick drink on the road.
The 1975 car has also been upgraded with a TV screen and surround sound systems.
A glass wall partition separates the front driver’s row with the two passenger rows, one of which is rear-facing …
… and a fold-out table sits in between the rear-facing and front-racing passenger rows.
In true luxurious fashion, Swarovski diamonds were also encrusted into the ceiling of the car.
The flashy vehicle also has a dimmable glass panoramic roof.
In total, the entire restoration and renovation process amounted to almost €3 million, around $US3.26 million.
The purchase will come with maintenance and instruction manual books and five of its original keys.
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Chile – Online gambling industry defends itself in Chamber of DeputiesBy James - 27 February 2023
Appearing before the Economy Commission of the Chamber of Deputies lawyer Carlos Baeza representative of Betano, Betsson, Coolbet, Estelarbet and LatamWin claimed that regulation of the online sector would not have a negative affect on money generated by the landbased industry.
“Unlike what has been tried to be put out there in public opinion, the presence of online betting platforms has not affected the income of traditional casinos, because they are completely different experiences and that respond to the varied consumer preferences of the users. In Chile, physical casinos are a pole of investment, tourism and generate 2,300 direct jobs. The regulation of the betting platforms will not affect their operation at all,” Baeza said.
The Economic Commission of the Chamber of Deputies is currently discussing a bill that would regulate online gambling. Baeza presented evidence that he said proved that the growth rate of land-based casinos in regulated markets such as the United Kingdom, Italy and France was not affected by the entry into the market of online platforms once they were regulated. Instead they acted as complementary industries.
“Some players prefer a wide range of games and the privacy offered by the Internet, while others want to combine a more limited gaming offer, but with an offer of shows and a social experience in land-based casinos,” he said.
He added that in addition to increased revenues for the government, the regulation of online platforms was beneficial overall because it helps protect minors from gambling related harm; allocates resources for the promotion of responsible gambling and puts in place other player protection measures. Regulation also helps prevent money laundering and provides guarantees that prizes are awarded to players he argued.
In January the Economic Commission listened to the presentations of Carlos Silva Alliende, prosecutor and manager of Corporate Affairs of Dreams, and Juan Sebastián Ayra, general manager of the Chilean Association of Gaming Casinos (ACCJ).


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Australian consumers are sinking $181 a month into the digital services according to a new study by financial firm Ernst & Young (EY). And that’s on top of the typical investment of $782 in hardware costs to keep them connected.
Called Digital Australia, State of the Nation 2015-16, the report found that the bulk of the money is spent on ISP fees and smart phone bills while music and movie streaming captures a little over 10 per cent of the spend.
According to the authors, “The majority of consumers (63 per cent ) are comfortable with the amount they’re spending on digital, with less than a third (29 per cent) concerned they spend too much.”
They also argue that the level of comfort is being assisted by telecommunication providers keeping customers informed, “…making usage data available and including more data and services in plans and bundling.”
And there was an interesting insight into the mindset of the digital obsessives among you. “Those who believe they are not spending enough money on digital are spending more than those who are comfortable with their digital spend and those who feel they are spending too much. This reflects the increased engagement of “digitally active” individuals, and shows a greater appetite for new devices and the latest technology.”
The wide ranging report delivers four key findings;
- Up the global leader board… Australia has climbed two places to sixteenth in the World Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index. This higher ranking dovetails with consumer perceptions, with Australians — especially younger generations — also rating the nation’s digital aptitude more highly than they did in 2014. However, digital opinion leaders rated the nation as being “less advanced” than other leading developed countries.
- Digital transformation is rife… The vast majority of traditional large businesses are undertaking formal digital transformation projects. At the beginning of 2015, the Federal Government recognised the importance of delivering services digitally with the announcement of an Office of Digital Transformation.
- Attaining digital excellence can prove elusive… When consumers were asked to rank their “digital experience” across all key sectors, the results were similar to 2014, with the two interesting outliers being TV, films and media improved by four points and government services which had declined. Regardless of whether the status quo reflects a lack of progress or similar incremental gain across the board, it appears few sectors have delivered true innovation in customer engagement.
- Many organisations yet to get the basics right… The consumers’ criteria for “a high quality digital experience” continues to revolve around entry-level factors. Security is at the top of the list, followed by basic functionality requirements, such as ease of navigation and the ability to find a product or contact information. This consumer sentiment is double underlined by the digital opinion leaders who threw the spotlight on some of the fundamentals — easy processes, ease of navigation, responsive customer service and the purchasing process (online and mobile). It’s imperative and incumbent on organisations to get the fundamentals right first.
Two of those findings seem logically inconsistent. The idea that many many organisations are yet to get the basics right seems to jar with the idea that digital transformation is rife. That’s not to say the research is wrong. Rather it suggests that those programs are in their very early stages.
According to David McGregor EY technology, media and entertainment and telecommunications leader, “In a world where digital solutions are playing an increasingly central role in customer engagement, boards and C-suite leaders need a new set of operating metrics to understand if investing in digital is delivering dividends.”
The report also delved a little into the digital downside. The authors say that when they spoke to everyday Australians, an interesting tension was revealed. “The digital world brings profound benefits, but Australians also see its dark side.”
For instance, although digital can support inclusiveness and a sense of connection, consumers questioned the depth of these connections. A significant minority also felt overwhelmed by the information available to them while “digital addiction” was also an important gripe.
This article originally appeared on B&T’s sister business site www.which-50.com
Verizon Media’s talent program has come to an end for the third year, closing with a hybrid pitch-off event for Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD). The Verizon Media Academy class of 2021, made up of 44 emerging leaders from across Australia and New Zealand media, advertising and marketing industry, were given just one hour to […]
Social purpose organisation UnLtd’s Big Games competition has raised a combined $85,000 for children and young people at risk. Running over five weeks, the competition involved 32 teams from across the advertising, marketing and media industries battling it out virtually for a chance to qualify for the Rocket League final. The tournament culminated in a […]
Stan has announced that the Stan Original Film Transfusion commenced filming in Sydney earlier this week and will premiere on Stan in 2022. Transfusion is a taut, muscular thriller starring Sam Worthington (Avatar) as Ryan Logan, a former Special Forces operative, who is battling to cope with life after the loss of his wife and is thrust […]
According to a decade of data collected by iStock, Australian brands turned to imagery depicting outdated gender stereotypes during the pandemic. Tracking the keyword ‘women’, iStock by Getty Images found that in 2020, ANZ brands and businesses reverted to gender stereotypes. Images of mothers home-schooling were used at almost twice the rate of images of […]
Schwartz Media is congratulating Maddison Connaughton on her three years as editor of The Saturday Paper. Connaughton has decided to finish up her editorship this month. “It’s been an honour to edit the paper,” Connaughton said. “The Saturday Paper is one of the brightest voices in Australian media and I have been happy to see […]
Research from EdBbirdie using Spotify data has identified the most popular songs to study to. After analysing thousands of studying and homework playlists on Spotify, American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘drivers license’ came out as top song to study to. It featured on 48 study playlists, while other top songs included ‘Ophelia’ by The Lumineers, ‘Falling’ […]
Dayna Stewart is the Business Director – Digital Marketing, Media & Creative Services at The Nudge Group. Here, she discusses the challenges that come with building a successful marketing team when working remotely. Before COVID-19 changed the way businesses work, most marketing teams spent their days together in a meeting room collaborating on the next […]
The line-up for the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival has been announced as the legendary event returns live in Las Vegas in September. This year, the epic two-day lineup for the iHeartRadio Music Festival main stage will feature performances by Billie Eilish, Cheap Trick, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Florida Georgia Line, Journey, Khalid, Lil Baby, Maroon 5, Nelly, […]
Shop! ANZ is calling on shopper and retail marketing professionals from all retail related disciplines to participate in the first ANZ Shopper and Retail Marketing Industry Survey in four years. This important research provides a guide of where the retail marketing industry in Australia and New Zealand has come from and what is anticipated to […]


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Ambrose Conroy, founder and chief executive officer of Seraph, discloses the findings of the firm’s latest weekly Auto Shutdown Report.
Seraph’s latest report uncovers no additional notifications of auto plant shutdowns, with the promise of a stabilization of supply chains. General Motors has resolved some of its issues with semiconductor prices and shortages, and might now be experiencing greater supply continuity, “but we’ve yet to see the benefits of that,” Conroy says.
Other auto manufacturers continue to experience a “tremendous” amount of pressure on semiconductor supply, although there are signs of a “minor easing” of the problem at the level of the big Tier 1 suppliers. “We’re not seeing the flood that was predicted for the second quarter of the year yet,” says Conroy. “We’re predicting that in Q1 of 2022, semiconductors will start to normalize.” In the meantime, automotive supply chains continue to suffer from slow reopenings, and “fits and starts” within the big auto plants.
Traditionally, it has been the responsibility of Tier 1 suppliers to provide continuity of supply of semiconductors, but the current crisis has spurred OEMs to assume a more direct role on that front. Automakers such as Tesla and Toyota are reaching deep into their supply chains, in some cases all the way back to Tiers 4 and 5, to establish better communications and a more reliable flow of key components.
The shortage of semiconductors isn’t the only problem plaguing automotive OEMs today. Conroy cites three additional concerns: Labor, with many people refusing to come back to work due partly to continuation of unemployment benefits; steel, which is short in availability and high in price, and petrochemicals, which are experiencing supply problems in the wake of the deep freeze in Texas earlier this year, which created a huge need for plastics to repair broken pipes.
Timely, incisive articles delivered directly to your inbox.


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Two Internet-based companies offering Web brokerage services are the latest
to be nabbed in a federal crackdown on illegal business opportunities and
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Wednesday said Wealth Systems, Inc.,
Ecommerce Network.com, LLC, and their principals, Martin Wilson and Shane
Roach, will pay approximately $80,000 in consumer redress.
A judgment of almost $15 million, representing the amount of consumer
injury, will be suspended due to the defendants’ inability to pay. The
judgment will be imposed if they are found to have misrepresented their
According to the FTC, the two companies claimed that consumers could earn
$20,000 to $50,000 within a year by purchasing Web broker packages priced
from about $300 to $1,400 or more.
The FTC claims consumers responding to the site received a mailing with
testimonials from alleged Web brokers, one of whom claimed to have made over
$300,000 in a little over a year.
The FTC further alleges the defendants offered advertising “coaches” and
advertising packages costing “as low as two dollars” to help purchasers
launch their Web brokerage business.
Once consumers purchased a package, the advertising coaches allegedly used
high-pressure sales tactics to persuade consumers to buy advertising
services from them. The defendants allegedly claimed that one person had
earned more than $12,000 in a month, and another person had invested only
$300 and was receiving his first earnings check for $680.
Some of the advertising packages cost tens of thousands of dollars.
As alleged in the complaint, few, if any, consumers who purchased the
defendants’ business opportunity or advertising services made any money, and
few consumers received refunds.
According to the Commission, the defendants violated the FTC Act and the
FTC’s Franchise Rule by not giving any pre-sale disclosure documents with
information about Wealth Systems, such as names, addresses, and telephone
numbers of Wealth Systems members and their earnings.
In addition, purchasers were not supplied, as required by law, an earnings
claim document stating a reasonable basis for defendants’ earnings claims or
the number and percentage of prior purchasers who had achieved results as
good as or better than the represented earnings.
The stipulated final order against Wealth Systems and Ecommerce Network was
part of Project Biz Opp Flop, a national sweep of bogus business
opportunities conducted by the FTC, the Department of Justice, the Postal
Inspection Service and law enforcement agencies from 14 states.
More than 200 operations were targeted for engaging in fraud and/or
violating consumer protection laws.


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If your name isn’t already down, you’re not coming in! Punters without bookings are warned to avoid pubs on July 4 with locals ALREADY sold out amid plans to turn car parks into beer gardens to accommodate surge in customers
- Pub-goers will be allowed back from July 4 for the first time since March 20
- But customers may be asked to register before having a drink at their local
- Some pubs already have all their tables reserved on opening ‘Super Saturday’
- Politicians to go on a PR blitz around UK to encourage people to return to pubs
- Car parks and hotel grounds could be converted into temporary beer gardens
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Pub owners have warned customers to only turn up if they have pre-booked a table as bosses prepare to reopen after being shut for more than three months.
Customers are expected to be allowed back into pubs from July 4 as they are allowed to open again after shutting on March 20 just before lockdown began.
But pub-goers may be asked to register before having a drink at their local under plans to limit the spread of Covid-19 as England’s hospitality industry reopens.
Some pubs already have all their tables reserved on the opening day – dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ – with staff taken off furlough to help cope with bookings.
And politicians are expected to go on a PR blitz around the country to encourage people to return to pubs which will reopen with social distancing measures in place.
Social distancing measures implemented at the Ardnamurchan pub in Glasgow on June 16
Customers queue up for a drink outside The Dynamo bar in Putney, South London, on June 19
Boris Johnson will urge the Cabinet today to be at the forefront of a campaign to persuade Britons that it is safe to return to pubs, reported the Financial Times.
It has been suggested some Ministers might go to the pub for a PR stunt, with a Government official saying: ‘There’s a job to be done to encourage people to go out.’
What will the pubs of the post-lockdown era in Britain look like?
Here is an outline of what Wetherspoon pub customers will experience post-lockdown:
- The pubs will use one entrance with a separate exit door where possible. Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers. Door security will monitor the numbers entering and leaving to prevent overcrowding;
- All of its pubs will have screens at the tills and there will also be screens to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate the tables by two metres;
- Wetherspoon will provide gloves, masks and protective eyewear – but it is not mandatory for them to wear them unless the Government says so. They will also have their temperatures taken on arrival for their shifts.
- Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and when ordered by the app they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass.
- Each pub will have at least ten or more hand santiser stations and customers should use them on arrival and multiple times during their visit. One member of staff will be dedicated to sanitising surfaces;
- The drinks menu will remain the same – but food will be pared back and items should be ordered via the official JD Wetherspoon app if possible. But tills will be open and take cash; The pubs will provide sachets (ketchup, mayonnaise, salt pepper etc), rather than their usual condiment bottles;
- Workers must hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and when ordered by the app they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass.
Meanwhile car parks and hotel grounds could be converted into temporary beer gardens to help with social distancing by encouraging drinkers outside.
New laws due to be introduced to Parliament this Thursday will allow pubs to turn their ‘spaces inside out’ this summer, reported the Daily Telegraph.
One source said: ‘At the moment, you (pubs) have to specify in the plan for your licence where you are selling and serving alcohol. Beer gardens tend to be licensed already but car parks aren’t.
‘You could have little courtyards that would be normally used for storage, car parks or land that you don’t normally license. A lot of hotels will have huge gardens but won’t have an outdoor licence.’
Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman Inns, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: ‘We will be taking bookings only in the early stages.
‘So we will have names through our normal booking system. However it would seem to me a sort of strange replacement for a trace and contact scenario, but if the Government would like us to do it, then we’ll happily do it.’
‘I think it will evolve, but on day one we want to be very, very certain about what we’re doing. We want to make sure that everyone there feels reassured, that the staff feel happy with what’s going on and feel able to keep it all under control.
‘We would perhaps develop as time goes by and allow people to turn unannounced, but then that they must realise that they may not get a table because you can’t just have people stood in the bars, it will be table service only in those early weeks.
‘We are very, very foreready for the first day, so we do need to warn people that if they’ve not got a table then they shouldn’t come.’
Mr Borg-Neal revealed last Friday that many of his sites are fully booked on July 4 and they are having to take more staff off furlough to handle the bookings.
A spokesman for the Peach Pubs chain added that it was ‘fully booked’ already for the first weekend at six of its largest pubs which are due to open on July 4.
Ministers are looking at the possibility of asking bars and restaurants to keep a record of everyone who visits, including their mobile phone numbers.
The idea has been used in New Zealand where venues hold a register of everyone they serve each day. If someone falls ill with coronavirus, the list is then used to help with contact-tracing.
Pub chain Greene King revealed a new ‘safe socialising’ layout to its 1,700 pubs ahead of July 4
Customers will use their elbow to change the indicator on toilet doors at Greene King pubs
Bars and restaurants are expected to be allowed to resume more normal trading from July 4 as the hospitality sector reopens.
Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman Inns, said the chain is taking ‘bookings only in the early stages’ as it prepares to reopen
Many pubs and bars are already taking advantage of lockdown rules that allow them to sell takeaway food and drinks, and as the sun shone yesterday drinkers were out in force.
Ministers are expected to publish guidelines this week on what measures venues can take to operate safely.
In restaurants, waiters will be told not to lay tables until diners are seated, with napkins and cutlery brought out only with food.
Menus will have to be thrown out after being used once. Self-service buffets will be banned and waiters will be expected to wash their hands between serving different tables.
Hotel guests will be encouraged to use room service rather than dining in restaurants, with food left on trays in corridors. If guests become ill they will be asked to either go home or self-isolate in their rooms.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to say today that the tourism and hospitality sectors will be allowed to reopen on July 4 for the first time since March.
The Cartford Inn in Little Eccleston, Lancashire, has installed greenhouse-style dining pods
Customers enjoy the ‘quarantine greenhouses’ set up at Mediamatic in Amsterdam on June 3
But, in a sign of the risks involved, he will also warn that the changes will be reversed immediately if people abuse the new rules and the epidemic begins to take off again.
What changes is Boris Johnson expected to make today?
Boris Johnson is widely expected to announce a raft of easements to the lockdown restrictions today.
They would come into effect from July 4 – in less than a fortnight.
They are believed to include:
- Two-metre rule relaxed
- Expansion of support ‘bubbles’ to allow two households where both have more than one person in them to mingle indoors.
- Pubs, bars and restaurants reopen
- Barbers and hairdressers are able to reopen
The relaxation on July 4 – Independence Day in the US – comes amid growing optimism that the virus, which has claimed more than 42,000 lives in the UK, is finally reducing to manageable proportions.
Yesterday’s death toll rose by 15 – the lowest figure since March 13, ten days before the lockdown began.
Some 2.2million vulnerable people who have been ‘shielding’ for more than three months were yesterday told they could finally leave their homes from July 6.
The focus of the attempted economic revival will be on activities that can take place outdoors.
Ministers will bring forward legislation this week to give fast-track approval for pubs and restaurants to put seating outdoors, and small shops will be encouraged to set up stalls outside their premises.
The package of measures will be finalised by the Cabinet today before being announced by Mr Johnson in a statement to Parliament at lunchtime.
But government sources said that some indoor venues, including cinemas, museums and art galleries, will also be allowed to reopen provided they take measures to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Wetherspoon pubs will be very different places when they reopen and the chain has said it will spend £11million getting them ready
A spokesman for the Peach Pubs chain said that it was ‘fully booked’ already for the first weekend at six of its largest pubs which are due to open on July 4
Mr Johnson will also confirm the end of the two-metre rule, with businesses allowed to operate a one-metre rule as long as they introduce other measures to cut the virus risk.
Ministers must ‘seize the opportunity’ to force pubs to close car parks as lockdown eases to discourage drink driving, says star motoring lawyer
The Government should ‘seize the opportunity to curb drink driving’ by forcing pubs to close off their car parks as lockdown eases, a star road traffic lawyer has urged.
Bars and pubs should be told to seal off their parking facilities and use the space to provide more outdoor seating if they are given the green light to open on 4 July, says Nick Freeman – who has been dubbed ‘Mr Loophole’ for getting a string of celebrities of driving charges.
He said the move would not only help provide extra space for social distancing and increase capacity for businesses to serve more punters, but discourage drinkers from driving to and from the pub.
‘The reopening of bars and pubs is a welcome move for both the public and the economy,’ according to the 63 year-old lawyer. ‘But inevitably there may well be those who – by default or design – get behind the wheel after having one too many. ‘
He added: ‘The closing of pub car parks is a very visible sign that drinking and driving don`t go together.
‘In fact the Government could use this opportunity to launch an anti-drink-drive campaign, citing the fact that pubs are open but car parks are closed.’
At a meeting of senior ministers and officials last night, Downing Street permanent secretary Simon Case, who led a review of the rule, said case numbers were now low enough to reduce the guidance to ‘one metre plus’.
But businesses will have to take precautions such as encouraging the use of masks, seating people side by side rather than face to face, and improving ventilation.
A Downing Street source warned: ‘We are only able to move forward this week because the vast majority of people have taken steps to control the virus.
‘But the more we open up, the more important it is that everyone follows the social distancing guidelines.
‘We will not hesitate to reverse these steps if it is necessary to stop the virus running out of control.’
The changes will only apply in England for now.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, yesterday suggested the Government was acting in a ‘reckless’ way.
She said it was ‘very tempting’ to ease restrictions when death rates were falling, but said fresh outbreaks in Germany and China underlined the need for caution.
But Matt Hancock said official data on the epidemic supported the case for relaxing the rules.
The number of new cases fell to 958, the lowest figure since lockdown began on March 23.
The Health Secretary told the daily No 10 briefing last night: ‘A month ago, one in 400 people had the virus; now it is one in 1,700 and we can ease the lockdown.’
Today’s package of measures is expected to produce the biggest single relaxation of the lockdown so far.
One Whitehall source said it was ‘effectively the end of lockdown’ – although large gatherings will remain banned, theatres and nightclubs will have to stay closed, and modified social distancing rules will remain in place.
Pubs in Britain have urged the Government to relax the two-metre (6ft) social distancing rule during the coronavirus pandemic so they can reopen
Empty beer garden tables on what would normally be a busy pub in Windsor on May 23
Cinemas will only be able to have customers in every other seat. Museums and galleries will have to operate one-way systems and limit numbers.
Hairdressers will be required to take steps such as wearing personal protective equipment and to cut the small talk to limit the spread of the virus.
The PM is expected to confirm that from July 4 the British tourist industry can reopen, giving millions the hope of a ‘staycation’ in the UK this summer.
Hotels, guesthouses, campsites, caravan parks and self-catering properties will all be permitted to reopen if they act to prevent the spread of the virus. Owners of second homes will also be allowed to visit them again.
Source: Read Full Article


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The 2017 Andover Christmas Lights Switch on was a great success, organised by TVBC’s shining star, Heather Whittam, the evening went without a hitch.
Andover’s High Street was packed with adults and children, all enjoying the entertainment on the stage parked up outside the Guildhall, compered perfectly by Breeze presenter, Robert Kenny.
The High Street was populated by food stalls, souvenirs and rides for the children.
Tourism & Information focused website, Destination Andover, highlighted that it was the biggest event of the year.
The evening ended with the Christmas Lights being switched on by The Breeze’s Shining Star, Chloe Horseman, The Mayor and the Chair of Andover Town Council.
The Chantry Centre fireworks were a complete triumph.
Disappointingly, hardly any shops were open despite the massive amount of footfall in the town, all of the coffee shops and restaurants that were open, were packed full of paying consumers.


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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has provisionally approved a settlement with Macy’s, Inc., over claims that the retailer sold children’s outerwear products with drawstrings at the neck from 2006 to 2010 in violation of applicable safety standards. Without admitting liability, Macy’s has apparently agreed to pay a $750,000 civil penalty and provide training to its employees about drawstring prohibitions and rules. CPSC has published notice of the agreement, seeking comments on whether the commission should accept its terms; the deadline for submission is July 29, 2011.
Meanwhile, Viking Range Corp. has agreed to pay a $450,000 civil penalty for failing to report to CPSC that its defective refrigerator door hinge support mechanisms had caused incidents and injuries to consumers from detached and falling doors over the past 10 years. While the company denied the allegations, 45,000 of the purportedly defective refrigerators were recalled. The settlement agreement was provisionally accepted by the commission, which requested comments on its contents by July 13. See CPSC News Release, July 5, 2011; Federal Register, July 14, 2011.


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The question is being asked by worried retailers all across the convenience store landscape: will flavor regulation target smokeless tobacco?
The answer, unfortunately, appears to be: eventually. While smokeless tobacco is considered mostly safe for now, there are some states that have begun targeting the product.
Smokeless tobacco has largely flown under the radar of flavor bans, but several states and municipalities continue to eye it hungrily. Just last year, Thomas Briant, the executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, told CStore Decisions, “The number of state legislatures that are considering total flavored tobacco product bans is increasing.”
As of May of this year, no fewer than 14 states — Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont and Washington — had written new legislation to minimize sales of flavored tobacco and nicotine products. These bills have died or been defeated in Nevada, New Mexico and Washington, per Briant.
Many industry veterans are convinced that flavor regulation will begin to target smokeless and eventually modern oral tobacco.
Executives are already pointing to cities in, for example, Minnesota, targeting moist snuff after having implemented menthol bans. A bill is currently moving through the state to ban menthol and flavors. Unfortunately, states and cities that have banned menthol have shown that they consider the logical next step is to do the same with smokeless. With the category’s growing popularity and movement, many are predicting that it is only a matter of time before lawmakers turn their attention to it, as well.
In California and Massachusetts, which have total flavored tobacco product bans, the smokeless category is already affected.
“I do not believe any product is truly safe,” said David Ozgo, president of the Cigar Association of America Inc. and Pipe Tobacco Council Inc. in Washington, D.C. He used his own category to illustrate the trend.
“PATH (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health), a nationally representative longitudinal study of tobacco use and health in the United States, Wave 5 data shows that 12- to 17-year-old past-30-day usage rates are similar for both products: 0.7% for any cigar and 0.6% for any smokeless product,” Ozgo noted. “These results mean that young people really do not use cigars nor smokeless tobacco. One would think that low to non-existent youth usage rates would preclude any kind of proposed flavored cigar prohibition. Unfortunately that is not the case, and we have various state proposals for flavored cigar bans, along with the FDA’s national proposal.”


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Want to join the conversation?
$BMS said its BoD has approved a 4% increase in the quarterly cash dividend, increasing it to 29 cents per share compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 28 cents per share. The cash dividend is payable on March 1, to shareholders of record on Feb. 17. This marks the 33rd consecutive year that $BMY has increased its dividend payment.
$DB is going to cut off services for about 3,400 clients in equities trading.
$F stock slid more than 2% after the company issued two safety recalls involving more than 650,000 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ model cars.
The new CEO of $SBUX, Kevin Johnson, has some pretty large shoes to fill but there are many who have good faith in his ability to do so.
$TSLA opening a showroom in Michigan. A bold move !!


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Is Square Enix going to seal up any creativity leaks?
Kotaku reports that several "company insiders" have said that company president Yoichi Wada (pictured) has been on a tear recently, following the company's disappointing 2007 financial results which saw a massive drop-off in U.S. sales of its games.
"Word has it that a fierce meeting was held over a month ago where the
Square Enix honcho threatened to start axing employees if they didn't
(and we're paraphrasing) 'stop making games that only they wanted to play,' Kotaku writes.
In other words, if you liked some of Square Enix's more inventive games like The World Ends With You, even those days might be over.
Square Enix President Laying Down the Law [Kotaku]
Photo: Carl Wilson/Wired.com


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Beginning in 2016, Passengers travelling on Austrian will notice a subtle, yet obvious change to the uniforms that will be worn by Cabin Crew and other OS employees who typically wear uniforms.
The new uniforms retain some of the current look and red will continue to be the main color of most outfits. However, the new style takes on an edgier and more modern look thanks to the vision of Vienna native Marina Hoermanseder whose design was selected by OS.
At stake, however, is the decision on whether or not the red shoes or stockings continue to be part of the uniform. AUSTRIAN has asked their female employees who wear the uniform to vote on whether or not to continue with red shoes and stockings when the new uniforms are introduced.
A sneak peak at the new look along with a behind the scenes video featuring the designer and the photo shoot:


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Perot Systems top dog exits Dell
Dell vet Shuckenbrock helms services
Peter Altabef – the former president and chief executive officer of Perot Systems and the person who has been running the combine Dell Services unit in the wake of the $3.9bn acquisition of Perot by Dell in September 2009 – has left the company.
Now that the integration of Perot Systems is complete and Dell has a services business with nearly $8bn in annual revenues and more than 43,000 employees, Altabef has decided to leave, according to a statement released by the computer maker and services wannabe.
Steve Schuckenbrock will be talking the helm at the Dell Services unit, which will come as no surprise to anyone. Schuckenbrock was in charge of Dell's Large Enterprise business unit until today and was formerly been Dell's chief information officer as well as a long-time top exec at Electronic Data Systems before that services giant was eaten by Dell rival Hewlett-Packard. (Ironically, H Ross Perot Jr established both EDS and Perot Systems and has done well by selling his companies to General Motors, the public, HP, and Dell).
The Dell Services unit has 60 tech support centers and 36 data centers around the world, and it provides support for over 14 million PCs and 10,000 customers who are running applications SaaS-style from Dell's data centers.
Dell says that the integration of Perot Systems proceeded a little more smoothly than expected, with $100m in cost savings extracted from the combined Dell-Perot services businesses in fiscal 2011 and an additional $150m in "revenue synergies," by which we presume Dell means cross-selling of products and services between formerly independent Dell and Perot customers.
In addition to appointing Schuckenbrock as the president of Dell Services, Dell has merged its Large Enterprise unit, which sells servers, storage, networking gear, and PCs to the top couple thousand of Dell's customers ranked by the revenues they generate, with its Public business unit, which sells the same mix of stuff to federal, state, and local governments.
Paul Bell, who has been at Dell for 15 years and who was president of the Public unit, will be president of the combined Public-Large Enterprise unit. Before running the government-facing unit, Bell ran Dell's operations in EMEA and ran the commercial business in North America and South America before that.
Dell says that the reorganization will be implemented in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, which spans from February through April of this year. Steve Felice, who is president of the Consumer, Small and Medium business unit, retains his position. All three presidents report to Michael Dell, the company's chairman, CEO, and founder. ®


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The Samsung Galaxy S2 Jelly Bean update, which rolled out to owners in Korea yesterday, is again rolling out today to users of the GT-I9100G Galaxy S2, a model that is found in both Asia and in Europe. And given the close proximity of the updates, it looks like Galaxy S2 owners might now be in the midst of a full on Jelly Bean roll out.
Yesterday, we saw Samsung finally roll out the Galaxy S2 Jelly Bean update to another region after starting the Galaxy S2 Android 4.1 roll out towards the beginning of January. The first emergence of the update saw owners in Spain get the update which was then followed by yesterday’s arrival of the Galaxy S2 SHW-M250K Jelly Bean update which replaced Android 4.0 as the device’s operating system.
Now, it looks like even more users are receiving the update as SamMobile reports that the Galaxy S2 GT-I9100G Jelly Bean roll out has begun. The GT-I9100G is a device that is found in regions in both Europe and Asia and those that possess one will want to check for an upgrade today.
That upgrade should be Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean which brings a host of new features and Samsung’s TouchWiz Nature UX which debuted back with the Galaxy S3. This is the biggest update that the Galaxy S2 has ever received and it’s one that owners should update to as fast as possible.
Samsung rolls out its Android updates in phases and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is no different. Typically, a few regions will see the software and then Samsung will start rolling it out at a rapid pace. And it could be that after this update, we see the update start arriving in regions across the world.
Unfortunately, we still don’t know when or if the update will be coming to the United States. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon all have Galaxy S2 models on their networks, but thus far, none of them has said anything about the timing of their updates. None of the carriers have confirmed updates either.
At least one carrier, Rogers in Canada, says that it will be updating its device with Android 4.1 in late February, but the carrier already pushed to that date from one in January so at this point, it’s not a safe time frame to trust.
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Thanks to Greenlava for this cool gadget. Get yours here
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Adding Followers Gadget in Blogger (post-GFC-retirement)
So, Google decided to retire most of Google Friend Connect's feature last year, though they have mentioned that they will continue to run the service for the 'foreseeable future'. The GFC Follower's gadget, that used to be available in the 'Add a Gadget' list of gadgets, has now been replaced with Google+ Followers gadget. For those of you who are still using GFC's Followers gadget, you can keep using it, until Google decides to pull the plug. But for new users, or for those of you who had your gadget accidentally removed, here's how you can add it back.


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A St. Louis company founded by Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates while they were still students is expanding to Rolla.
Lumate, a St. Louis-based startup focused on the mobile ad industry, will open a second office at Missouri S&T’s Innovation Park later this month and plans to hire 10 Missouri S&T students part-time, says Quentin Ortega, vice president of the company.
Lumate was founded at S&T in 2008 as Interdisciplinary Design Collaborative LLC by Missouri S&T students Michael Orlando and R.J. Miller. In 2010, the students won the University of Missouri System’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the company.
Ortega says Lumate will hire 10 Missouri S&T students in part-time jobs to help develop Lumate’s two mobile ad products. He says he hopes the satellite office serves as a “farm system” of sorts that will ultimately form a pipeline for talent between St. Louis and Rolla.
“(The office) will be a very good opportunity for us and for the students looking to start a relationship with companies,” Ortega says.
Ortega anticipates scaling up in the coming year to meet customer demand. The company has 12 employees in its office in downtown St. Louis at the T-REX technology incubator.
The company was part of the first class of Arch Grants winners and was accepted into the Capital Innovators accelerator program in September 2012. Each of those programs awarded the company $50,000.
“Lumate is a fantastic success story and a testament to the type of innovation Missouri S&T tries hard to instill in our students,” says Keith Strassner, director of technology transfer and economic development at Missouri S&T. “We’ve been very pleased to be working with these young entrepreneurs, and it has been wonderful to follow their success. They’ll be a great addition to our Technology Innovation Center.”
Strassner notes that Lumate will be the 11th business to locate in Innovation Park’s Technology Development Center. The company will join existing enterprises Garmin International, IST Rolla, ETS, The Ravens Group, Phenix Solutions, Frontier, I2S, Missouri Edge, the Rolla Regional Economic Commission and Missouri Enterprise. In addition, the TDC houses four student-led startups in its student incubator: Dual Case, Off Kilter Studios, Tenneca AM and Bayridge Software.
In recent years, Lumate had focused on creating games for iOS and Android devices. But through its popular Memory Match game, which had some 1.5 million downloads, the startup found that mobile advertising was not as effective as it could be. IDC posted $100,000 in revenue last year on mobile ads.
Lumate’s founders are Missouri S&T graduates. Orlando holds bachelor’s degrees in interdisciplinary engineering and electrical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management, and Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary engineering. Ortega, the vice president of Lumate, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Missouri S&T and is pursuing his MBA through S&T’s online program.


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I’ve seen a few things lately about the next version of Windows, aptly code-named Windows 7 and it’s next-generation user interface. AppleInsider sums it up nicely citing Microsoft engineer Hilton Lock as saying that the Windows 7 interface is tons cooler than the iPhone and people will be blown away.
What strikes me as interesting is the fact that if Microsoft is comparing their next-gen OS to the iPhone they’ve already missed the boat. Vista is still in it’s early adoption phases and another operating system from Microsoft is at least 5-6 years down the road if they follow their historical release schedule.
In a world of constantly changing technology and rapid innovation, this effectively means that Microsoft is comparing targeting a competitor that has moved onto other areas. It’s the iPod/Zune thing all over again.
Apple’s original iPod was fantastic and a real step forward for usability and simplicity. Several years later, after the iPod was already dominating, Microsoft releases the Zune, but the iPod was already ahead and moving faster.
Sure, Microsoft made a nice new Zune that compares to the old iPods and even the new iPod classic favorably, but Apple doesn’t really care about the iPod classic. Apple has already moved on with the iPod Touch. They release the Classic because it makes money and because flash storage isn’t big enough to get the massive capacity some people want, but that’s not where Apple is focused. They’ve already moved on.
I hope that Windows 7 doesn’t turn into the next Zune 2. Microsoft needs to do some innovation in a whole new direction rather than just trying to one-up existing technology. Microsoft surface demonstrates that kind of thinking, but when will it be affordable and in production?
It’s no secret that I’m an Apple fan, but for better or worse, Windows is the dominant player in terms of market share and use (though perhaps not mind share) so the better Microsoft can make it, the better off we’ll all be. Let’s see some real innovation come out of Redmond. Not just ideas and prototypes, but real devices and software that us consumers can get our hands on.


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Burberry experienced double-digit growth across all regions, in both retail and wholesale, for the six months to September 30.
In its half-year interim results published this week, the business posted total revenue growth of 29% to £830m, up from £641m in 2010.
The luxury group saw gains across all product divisions. Menswear grew 37% while womenswear swelled 35% over the half year, driven by strong retail performances from the mainline and Burberry Prorsum.
Kidswear increased 24% across retail and wholesale, showing particularly strong growth in outerwear and non-clothing.
Burberry chief executive officer Angela Ahrendts credited the company’s “creative thinking culture and closely connected global teams” for the performance. “Burberry has delivered a strong first half, reflecting our continued investment in innovative design, digital marketing and retail strategies,” she said.
Ahrendts remained optimistic despite the eurozone crisis and market speculation that China cannot sustain its demand for luxury.
She said China only represented 10% of Burberry’s total revenue, and pointed instead to “high growth pocket” areas such as Indonesia. “We are not overly dependent on one area,” she added.
Asked how the company would handle a downturn similar to that of 2008, she said: “We have a very seasoned executive team. We know exactly what levers to pull.”


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text: The past year has been highly significant for the automotive industry, with several watershed moments redefining the automotive landscape, particularly in the EMEA region.\r\n\r\nOne of the main headlines was the impact of the dieselgate scandal on the Volkswagen Group and the industry as a whole. The scandal, which broke in September 2015 and led to the resignation of Martin Winterkorn, has seen the company spend 2016 making broad shifts within the group, revamping management structures, and rethinking the company\u2019s vision and strategy.\r\n\r\nBrexit was another defining moment for the automotive industry, and while the implications of this move by the UK are still not well defined, the industry as a whole has adopted a relatively cautious outlook.\r\n\r\nTechnology has also grown by leaps and bounds, coming together with regulation to enable an accelerated shift toward autonomous driving. Digitisation too is coming to the fore as a key area of investment, with around US$40bn invested into automotive IT over the last two years.\r\n\r\nWe have also seen several European OEMs increase their focus on mobility initiatives, with PSA Group launching Free2Move, Daimler launching EQ and Volkswagen establishing Moia.\r\n2017 is expected to be a tipping point for the European automotive industry as the full implications of the political, regulatory, technological and strategic shifts become more evident\r\nThe outlook for the automotive market in 2017 is closely linked to economic and political trends, and over the past year, the economy has been fairly resilient despite major political developments such as \u00a0Brexit and the unexpected election of Donald Trump. However, the impact to existing trade remains unclear. 2017 will see another wave of political developments with elections in Italy, France, Germany and The Netherlands expected to add to the economic uncertainty. While the European economy saw relatively stable growth of around 1.6% in 2016, the outlook for 2017 is a little dimmer. The expected rise in inflation in conjunction with political uncertainty is likely to lead to a slower rate of growth in the range of around 1.2% of 1.5%.\r\n\r\nFrom an automotive perspective, Germany is likely to continue to hold its position as the market leader in Europe in 2017, with sales remaining stable in the 3.6 million units range, growing at most by around 1%. The UK, Europe\u2019s second largest market, however, is expected to decline \u2013 in part due to the slowdown expected after a few years of continuous growth, and in part due to shaky consumer confidence, a weak pound and uncertainty around Brexit.\r\n\r\nThe other key European markets of France, Italy and Spain are also expected to see growth, though growth in the Mediterranean region is expected to be higher in the 6% to 10% range as the markets recover their economic footing and replacement demand drives growth. This demand is expected to be fed by an expansion in manufacturing taking place in North Africa, with OEMs such as Ford and Hyundai eyeing expansion of their manufacturing footprints into Morocco and Algeria, for example.\r\n2017 will see another wave of political developments with elections in Italy, France, Germany and The Netherlands expected to add to the economic uncertainty\r\nDiving deeper into some of the trends influencing the market, the impact to sales and more importantly, automotive production in the EMEA region, becomes evident.\r\n\r\nBrexit - Union no more\r\n\r\nThe UK automotive industry is one of the biggest sectors affected by the country\u2019s European referendum of June 2016. The motor industry alone employs over 800,000 people, and around 30 OEMs and 2000 automotive component providers have production facilities in the country. Production has been on an upswing, growing at a rate of 5.2% to reach 1.7 million units in 2015, 78% of which were exported. In fact, automotive exports account for 11.8% of total UK exports in all sectors.\r\n\r\nOne of the bigger concerns of OEMs is around the renegotiation of trade tariffs, which could potentially rise by 10%. This could have a negative impact on manufacturing in the UK. The German automotive industry \u2013 which currently has around 100 production sites in Britain, including suppliers \u2013 has already alluded to shifting production to Europe in the event of trade conflicts.\r\n\r\nJapanese OEMs in the UK are also likely to take a hit as the bulk of their output is exported to the EU; for instance, Toyota exports nearly 90% of all its UK-built vehicles. Manufacturing in the UK for these OEMs is highly contingent on exports to Europe; they operate with relatively low margins and profitability, and thus the uncertainty on access to a single market will make them less competitive. As a result, there is a risk of operations shutting down.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the falling pound is expected to hit importers; OEMs such as Ford and the Volkswagen Group are expected to be at most risk due to the depreciating pound.\r\nAs the industry moves into 2017, \u2018digitisation and mobility\u2019 seems to be the catchphrase of the year. From a technology perspective, the perception of the car is moving away from a means of transport to a third living space, along with home and work\r\nPrior to the election of Donald Trump, a potential upside could have been anticipated from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). TTIP is expected to aid in reducing non-tariff barriers to the tune of 26%. Smaller car manufacturers such as PSA Group \u2013 which would otherwise have been unable to approach the US automotive market due to high market entry costs \u2013 might have found it easier to access the US market. However, Trump\u2019s election has effectively killed the Trans-Pacific partnership (TPP), and his dislike of free trade agreements is such that the future of TTIP now also hangs in the balance.\r\n\r\nThe future is electric\r\n\r\nThe Volkswagen scandal has shaken the entire automotive industry. As a direct consequence, the company has made a notable shift away from diesel toward alternative fuel and specifically electrification.\r\n\r\nThe growth of electrification across the industry is driven by three main forces: a push from the OEMs to reduce their fleet average emissions, a push from the infrastructure angle to build capabilities and a regulatory drive. Additionally, the consumer\u2019s mind-set towards electrification is fast changing, and these factors have a direct bearing on the manufacturing outlook for Europe.\r\n\r\nIncreasingly, the focus within Europe will be on OEMs hybridising their manufacturing through various powertrain solutions. Vehicle manufacturers are creating synergic platforms that can be adapted for electric, hybrid or gasoline on the same platform, and their manufacturing approach to vehicle development is also going to change; it needs to be modular.\r\n\r\nWhile modular architecture has been in the spotlight for a long time, to date only Volkswagen and Daimler have fully adopted their architecture. However, the landscape today is beginning to change. There will also be synergies between brands as they start sharing manufacturing and platform capabilities, such as the wide-reaching alliance between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler.\r\n\r\nConvergence of connectivity and mobility\r\n\r\nAs the industry moves into 2017, \u2018digitisation and mobility\u2019 seems to be the catchphrase of the year.\r\nGermany is likely to continue to hold its position as the market leader in Europe in 2017, with sales remaining stable in the 3.6 million units range, growing at most by around 1%\r\nFrom a technology perspective, the perception of the car is moving away from a means of transport to a third living space, along with home and work. This shift is being underpinned and enabled by the digitisation of the vehicle. This could take the form of increasing connectivity and driver-centric services within the car such as infotainment and real-time traffic updates. One example is Toyota\u2019s collaboration with Microsoft to improve telematics, data analytics and network security services.\r\n\r\nThe technology advancements are also impacting the route to the customer. By the end of 2017, it is expected that most OEMs will look toward expanding their e-retailing strategy by digitising various touchpoints with the end consumer, across the entire customer journey.\r\n\r\nEnabled by the digital revolution, \u2018mobility\u2019 is becoming an increasing focus for vehicle manufacturers. Key OEMs are beginning to look toward a future where the car is not central to the customer; rather, the focus is on mobility. Convenience is key, regardless of whether the journey is enabled by the vehicle or by the seamless multi-modal network of services ranging from car and bike sharing to taxis and public transit. OEMs have either launched a mobility strategy or an independent division to oversee their mobility initiatives, and this trend is expected to gain momentum over the next year.\r\n\r\n2017 is expected to be a tipping point for the European automotive industry as the full implications of the political, regulatory, technological and strategic shifts become more evident and stakeholders across the board begin to react to these changes.


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GM to add 750 workers to build small pickup trucks
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is adding 750 workers to a Missouri factory in anticipation of high demand for two new small pickup trucks.
GM wants to add a third shift to its plant in Wentzville near St. Louis by the end of March. The factory now employs 2,600 people who make the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups as well as full-sized vans.
Alan Batey, GM's North America president, says dealers already have ordered 30,000 pickups and 97,000 people have configured and built them on a GM website. Both are signs of strong demand.
GM is building the trucks and plans to start shipping them to dealers soon. Small pickups have declined in popularity, but Batey is confident people will buy the GM models for their hauling ability, gas mileage and price.


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Samsung has released a new TV commercial to promote its all-new Bespoke Jet series.
The spot opens with several homes that are extremely messy and features the individuals using the new BESPOKE Jet cordless vacuum to clean. The device is 24% lighter, supercharged, and boasts 210W powerful suction, an all-in-one clean station, and auto disposal by All-in-one Clean Station.
“From start to finish, all-round clean,” the voiceover says at the end of the commercial, introducing the Samsung BESPOKE Jet. The tagline “Let’s Jet It” also appears on the screen.
The Bespoke Jet is now available to order in the US, ordinarily priced at $899, in three color options – Woody Green, Midnight Blue and Misty White.


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Gotion High Tech to make battery cells in Germany in 2023
The Chinese battery cell manufacturer and Volkswagen partner Gotion High-Tech has revealed details of its plans for the former Bosch plant in Göttingen that it bought last year. Gotion High-Tech says that Göttingen will become its first battery production and business operation headquarters in Europe.
Rosatom to build battery factory in Kaliningrad
Russia’s nuclear corporation Rosatom announces the location for its battery cell factory announced in March. It will be built in the western Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and is to produce battery cells for electric vehicles and energy storage systems from 2026.
SVOLT expands with a third plant in China
The battery cell manufacturer SVOLT, which emerged from the Chinese carmaker Great Wall, wants to further expand its production capacities in China. Another cell factory is now to be built in Chengdu, which is to have a capacity of 60 GWh in the third expansion stage.
Tesla Giga Berlin subject to next phase of bureacracy
In Germany, after Tesla submitted the amended application documents for the Giga Berlin plant expansion to include a battery factory, the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment has now decided, as expected, that public participation will be required again due to the scope of the amendment.
CATL plans to build battery plant in Indonesia
Chinese battery cell manufacturer CATL plans to invest five billion US dollars in a battery factory in Indonesia. According to the Indonesian government, Tesla will also send a delegation next month to discuss possible investments in a supply chain for its electric cars.
CATL invests to build new plant in China
Chinese battery cell manufacturer CATL is planning a new production facility in China. Up to 10 billion yuan will be invested in a new plant in Ningde, which is to be completed within two years. CATL also intends to raise another 20 billion yuan (around 2.6 billion euros) to expand its production capacities in existing […]


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Canadian Firm to Buy Fitness Platform Wellbeats
St. Louis Park-based video fitness platform Wellbeats is coming under new ownership.
On Monday, Toronto-based LifeSpeak Inc. announced that it has reached a deal to acquire Wellbeats for up to $92.5 million. LifeSpeak bills itself as a “mental health and total wellbeing platform.” The company’s offerings include wellbeing-focused videos, articles, and live consultations with experts.
Both companies primarily market their products to employers. WellBeats will bring about 400 enterprise clients to LifeSpeak, according to a news release issued Monday. Together, they’ll have a customer base of over 800.
Wellbeats CEO and president Jason Von Bank said the deal will bring “the two halves of the wellbeing equation together for our customers, who have sought mental health solutions to complement our physical wellbeing resource.”
In an email, Von Bank said that Wellbeats expects to maintain its presence in Minnesota. The company keeps a headquarters in St. Louis Park, as well as a studio in Bloomington. No layoffs are anticipated as a result of the acquisition, he said. “On the contrary, we anticipate staff growth,” he added.
The Wellbeats name isn’t going anywhere, either: The company will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under LifeSpeak, according to Von Bank.
The deal is slated to close in March. Upon closing, LifeSpeak will provide an initial cash payment of $80 million. If the combined company meets certain milestones, LifeSpeak will provide up to $12.5 million in additional payments, according to the news release.
LifeSpeak is publicly traded in Canada. The company is fairly new to the public markets, having made its debut on the Toronto Stock Exchange in July 2021.
For its part, Wellbeats has been selling virtual fitness products long before Covid hit. The company got its start selling kiosks with fitness videos for hotels, colleges, and other organizations. In 2015, the company pivoted and began selling a streaming subscription service for fitness videos.


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Dallas — Two leading industry retailers received big financial boosts in separate developments this week.
Berkshire Hathaway, the Warren Buffet holding company that owns Nebraska Furniture Mart, agreed to secure a portion of the $107 million in municipal bonds that the town of The Colony, Texas, sold last week to help finance construction of the dealer’s new shopping and entertainment complex there.
Nebraska will be the lead tenant of Grandscape, a 430-acre, $1.5 billion development that will feature stores, movie theaters, restaurants, a convention center, a hotel and the chain’s third full-line location — a 1.8 million-square-foot retail, warehouse and office facility that it said will house the nation’s largest home furnishings store.
Nebraska is investing about $250 million in the project, which is expected to attract 8 million visitors and generate $600 million annually, according to Bloomberg News.
Elsewhere, No. 3 office-supply chain OfficeMax said it will pocket about $129 million from the sale of securities in Boise Cascade, the paper products business it sold off in 2004.
“We’re very pleased to have monetized a portion of this non-core Boise asset,” said Ravi Saligram, OfficeMax president/CEO. “We have made great strides in optimizing our balance sheet over the past several months [and] are considering the best way to utilize these proceeds to maximize shareholder value.”
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MOSCOW (Agencies): In a groundbreaking move, Turkey and Russia have announced plans to establish a joint bank. This unprecedented decision marks a significant shift in the economic relations between the two nations.
The joint bank aims to facilitate bilateral trade, foster economic cooperation, and strengthen financial ties. It is expected to operate under the regulatory frameworks of both countries, ensuring compliance with international banking standards.
While the specifics of the bank’s operations are yet to be disclosed, it is anticipated that the joint bank will offer a range of services, including corporate and retail banking, investment banking, and wealth management.
This development comes amidst a changing global economic landscape, with countries seeking to diversify their economic partnerships. The joint bank could potentially pave the way for increased economic integration between Turkey and Russia.
Further details about the establishment, operation, and potential impact of the joint bank are expected to be released in the coming weeks.


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Rishabh Gupta oversaw firm become Indonesia’s largest hotel chain
OYO appoints head of UK as property numbers hit 200
Fast-growing Indian hotel brand OYO has announced the appointment of a new Head of the UK business.
Rishabh Gupta, head of OYO in Indonesia, will take over from current UK Head, Jeremy Sanders, who is leaving OYO to spend more time with his family and three young children.
Oyo now employs 500 people in the UK in seven offices and has just surpassed 200 properties in the UK accounting for 5,000 rooms in 50 towns and cities.
In a blog post announcing the appointment, OYO said: “We are sad to say goodbye to Jeremy after an exciting year of UK expansion.
“As OYO enters into an exciting new phase in 2020, it’s important that we continue to grow and scale while doubling down on our goal of offering improved customer experience and building great partnerships with asset owners.”
OYO has committed over £40 million in investment in the UK, which it said will support growth and ensure the brand offers high levels of customer experience.
“We will achieve this under the leadership of a new head of the UK business Rishabh Gupta, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team,” OYO said.
Under Gupta’s leadership, OYO has emerged as Indonesia’s largest hotel chain with over 2,000 hotels and almost 50,000 rooms under management across 100 cities.
“Rishabh brings over a decade of experience leading consumer and technology companies across Asia with a strong focus on operational efficiency and sustainable growth, including at Airbnb, Deloitte and WPP,” added OYO.
Sanders will hand over to Gupta after an a transition period.
“Under Rishabh’s leadership, we look forward to continuing OYO’s growth in the UK in 2020 and for the long-term,” said OYO. “We are focused on building a new kind of tech-driven hospitality business.
“We want people around the world to experience high quality, safe and hassle-free travel, whether they’re a consumer looking for an affordable place to stay, or a hotel owner looking to take the growth of their business to the next level.”
“Our thanks goes to Jeremy, who has demonstrated the traits of a true OYOpreneur in growing the UK business so far, and we look forward to our next phase of growth in 2020 and beyond.”


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Gun shop/shooting range to open in Blue Ash
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A gun shop and indoor shooting range will open Nov. 16 in Blue Ash.
Point Blank Range & Gun Shop will have 24 full- and part-time employees, and a spokesperson for the shop said owners have invested roughly $3 million in the business.
The 5,000-square-foot shop will have 20 climate-controlled indoor shooting lanes to accommodate rifles and handguns up to .308 caliber, according to a news release. And the store will have a ventilation system that provides a “virtually smoke free experience,” the release said. The commercial range will be open to everyone and will have annual memberships available.
The shop will carry firearms, accessories and ammunition. It’s a licensed Class III firearms dealer, and various gun and personal safety classes will be taught in classrooms on-site.
“Both concealed carry licenses and gun ownership are at an all-time high nationally, state wide and locally resulting in an increasing demand for this type of facility in the Tri-State,” Point Blank founder and President Tom Willingham said in the release. “Learning to shoot a gun and the recreational aspects of marksmanship are becoming more and more mainstreamed. Gun owners want a convenient, safe venue to learn and hone their shooting skills, and Point Blank will provide that.”
The store is located on Deerfield Road in Blue Ash and will be open seven days a week. You can find more information here.
Lucy May covers nonprofits, urban affairs and arts and culture
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Postal Corporation of Kenya celebrates World Post Day
By Standard Reporter | October 10th 2016
The Postal Corporation of Kenya joined other UPU member countries to commemorate the World Post day and celebrate the milestones it has achieved thus far.
World Post day is celebrated each year on the 9th of October which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.
With the accelerated growth in technology worldwide; Posta Kenya has and is continuously adapting to changes by adopting new ICT methods of operation to remain competitive in the current market that is predominantly operated by ICT.
The latest product is Mpost (Posta Mkononi) launched on the 16th of June 2016. Mpost is an innovative product that allows a customer to enjoy postal services at his or her convenience through their mobile phone. The service costs a total of only 300 Kenya shillings annually.
Posta Kenya continues to evolve by innovating new products to suit the current market and also meet its obligations to its customers as a postal service provider.
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STANFORD, Calif.—Hundreds of Silicon Valley's elite streamed into Stanford University's Memorial Church on Sunday evening for a service commemorating Apple Inc. AAPL 0.57 % 's late co-founder Steve Jobs.
Guests, many of whom were wearing black, arrived amid intense security with guards stationed near the main gate of the university's campus.
The event, which comes ahead of a company memorial scheduled for Wednesday, was shrouded in the secrecy that has come to be associated with both Jobs and Apple. Passersby who inquired about the service were told simply that the area would be closed for six to eight hours for a private event.
Executives from throughout the technology and media industries were expected to attend.
A walkway in front of the church, which sits near a sculpture garden, was illuminated with small white lights. The weather was crisp and cool, and guests were served hors d'oeuvres in a clearing adjacent to the church.
The service was expected to be followed by a reception on campus, according to invitees.
The memorial comes a little more than a week after a small private funeral was held for family and close friends. Mr. Jobs died on Oct 5.
Mr. Jobs, who struggled for years with pancreatic cancer, is credited as a visionary who ushered a string of successful products, including the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and Apple's iTunes music store. He masterminded Apple's turnaround from near bankruptcy in 1996, turning it into the world's most highly valued technology company.
The memorial also comes two days after Apple released its latest iPhone, the 4S, which appears to have been a hit with consumers despite initial disappointment among industry analysts and bloggers. Apple said preorders were the best ever, while AT&T Inc. T -1.70 % and Sprint Nextel Corp. S -0.22 % said initial sales were also their best yet.
One security guard, who appeared to be greeting guests and directing traffic, said that he had been asked to hold an iPad, but didn't know what the contents of the device were.
A helicoptor circled overhead. An Apple spokesman said it was dispatched by local media.
Write to Jessica E. Vascellaro at email@example.com